Opera

Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias

Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia (C Major)

Vocal riches in a depressingly hyperactive production that is devoid of amusement [MP]

Handel: Theodora (Alpha Classics)

A splendidly cohesive musically-rewarding example of integrated casting and performance [JW]

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Weber: Der Freischütz (Deutsche Grammophon)

One might go hunting for a more complete version of this opera, but this one does the trick in most respects [MP]

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Wagner: Die Walküre (Decca)

The last instalment of the Decca ‘Ring’ enhanced by remastering in magnificent sound [JQ]

Humperdinck Hansel und Gretel Eichhorn RCA G010004592376Y

Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel (RCA)

Christa Ludwig’s amazing Witch is the crowning achievement of this still essential recording [MP]

Cavalli: Il Xerse (Naxos)

A well-sung performance of a little-recorded work [RWe]

Puccini: La bohème (Warner Classics)

This old recording still has plenty of rewards to offer [MP]

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Donizetti: Elvida (Opera Rara)

(Déjà Review) I strongly recommend all lovers of the composer’s music and the bel canto genre to add it to their collections [RJF]

Verdi: Nabucco (Deutsche Grammophon)

Sinopoli and a powerhouse cast reveal unsuspected depths in Verdi’s early opera [MP]

Wagner: Das Liebesverbot (Orfeo)

A colourful Wagnerian romp with two outstanding interpreters among the large cast [MP]

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Wagner: Das Rheingold (Decca)

A classic Wagner recording in magnificently remastered sound [JQ]

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Mozart: Zaide (Orfeo)

A very good cast in a version with more linking dialogue than on other recordings [MP]

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Janáček: Káťa Kabanová (Decca)

An incandescent central performance heads an excellent ensemble cast under Mackerras’ renowned leadership [MP]

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Ponchielli: La Gioconda (Pristine Audio)

No one who loves this opera can afford to be without this recording for Callas’ unique insight into the title role [GF]

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Rossini: L’italiana in Algeri (Decca)

A pleasing but hardly essential recording of Rossini’s opera, noteworthy for being the first recorded in stereo [MP]

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Britten: Albert Herring (Decca)

A touchstone recording which is hard to beat for its general excellence and superbly detailed sound [MP]

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Vaughan Williams’s Serenade to Music (Albion Records)

This important historical document must be judged on its own terms [JF]

Gloire immortelle! Grandes oeuvres patriotiques (Château de Versailles)

A pleasant romp through the realm of French patriotic music and beyond [MP]

Ponchielli: La Gioconda (Decca)

Perhaps not the finest La Gioconda recording but a deeply satisfying one nonetheless [MP]

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Rossini: La donna del lago (C Major)

Rossini standards held high in a new production of The Lady of the Lake [PCG]

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Purcell: The Fairy Queen (Harmonia Mundi)

This 35-year-old recording is still a worthy competitor in a crowded field and the sound comes up as fresh as new paint [GF]

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Strauss: Die Ägyptische Helena (Decca)

Not ideal in every respect, this recording is a fine achievement nonetheless [MP]

Puccini Symphonic Suites Rizzi Signum SIGCD778

Puccini: Symphonic Suites (Signum Classics)

Newly edited Puccini operatic suites receive glowing performances [PCG]

Verdi Macbeth Schippers Decca 4834118

Verdi: Macbeth (Decca)

A recording of power and presence, but with some really disfiguring cuts to the music [MP]